Protecting God's
Children
The pastor of Epiphany Parish and the School leadership are committed to the well being of those
who are served by the Church. The People of God have a right to be able to
trust those who minister to them in God's name. The violation of this
trust through any sexual abuse by Church or School Personnel is a source
of great pain, for those involved and for the entire Church community.
The parish and School leadership will make every reasonable
effort to prevent sexual abuse, and to respond promptly to all allegations
of abuse where there is a reasonable belief that abuse has occurred. The
parish and school also will comply with all obligations of civil and canon
law. Epiphany Parish and school
will promote healing where it is needed, provide education, training and
guidance when it is appropriate, and endeavor to prevent any sexual abuse
of minors with firm justice and mercy towards all. No person, including
clergy, who has been determined to have engaged in sexual abuse of a
minor, will be allowed to remain in active ministry. Such actions violate
Christian principles and are outside the scope of duties and employment of
all Church Personnel. The parish and School will not tolerate such
behavior. This policy applies to all parish agencies, and parish
activities within the parish, as well as to all school personnel and
volunteers.
Care will always be taken to protect the rights all parties involved,
particularly those of the person claiming to have been sexually abused and
the person against whom the charge has been made. When the accusation has
been proved to be unfounded, every step possible will be taken to restore
the good name of the person falsely accused.
To meet the directives of the Office of Catholic Schools and the
Archdiocese of Chicago, ALL volunteers and paid staff in contact with
children e.i. seminarians, teachers, pastors, CCD teachers, youth
ministers, administrative help, servers, etc. MUST undergo a
background check, and attend a 2.5
hour “Virtus”
training session.
DEFINITIONS
* ALLEGATION: A statement or accusation of sexual abuse.
* CHILD OR MINOR: A person less than eighteen (18) years of age.
* VULNERABLE ADULT: Such persons as so defined
by the State's laws and Statutes. A copy of the statutory definitions is attached.
* DCF: The Illinois Department of Children and Families.
* CHURCH PERSONNEL: For purposes of this policy only, Church
Personnel shall include any person who is employed by, or engaged in
ministry, or providing service, either directly or indirectly, for the
diocese, an agency controlled by the Diocese, or a parish. Church
Personnel shall include, but not be limited to, priests, deacons,
religious, employees, and any volunteer involved in any diocesan or parish
activity. "Personnel" as defined herein, has reference only to the
applicability of this policy, and is not indicative of any agency or
employment relationship between a diocese and the party whose compliance
with this policy is sought.
This policy is intended to establish requirements and procedures in an
effort to prevent sexual abuse by Church Personnel and the resulting harm
to the victims and the Church community, and to provide guidance on how to
respond to allegations of sexual abuse. All Church Personnel must comply
with applicable laws regarding incidents of actual or suspected sexual
abuse of minors or vulnerable adults and with these procedural guidelines.